A Non-Governmental Organization, the MMS Women of Fortunes Hall of Fame (WoFHoF) Initiative has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to introduce a gender character policy to be modeled after the existing Federal Character principle to reflect the gender sensitivity of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) on gender equality with 40 per cent employment opportunity reservation for women in both public and private sectors.
The founder of MMS WoFHoF, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke who made this call in a welcome address to mark the 2019 MMS Hall of Famers’ Day and a night of empowerment to commemorate the International Women’s Day and the World Maritime Day in view, held on Tuesday in Lagos said introducing a gender character policy was the way to go as Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in advancement of gender equality.
Anaroke noted that the MMS WoFHoF initiative believed that the advocacy for gender parity required concerted actions by all the stakeholders if the mission must be achieved adding that this called for practical actions and strategies and not mere sloganeering.
“This explains our local theme, ‘Innovating Passion for Sustainable Living’, which is in sync with the global theme. Part of our strategy to bridge the gender gap is the dedication of a day to celebrate our Hall of Famers and remind them of their obligation as role models to pull the younger women or the less privileged up by equipping them with knowledge and skills as well as other wherewithal.
“Today, there is a special recognition for nine indomitable maritime Amazons, women with beauty and brain, women with intimidating credentials, who have risen and are rising with different leadership and value trajectory. They have threaded where many brave men geared to thread and came out victorious. They are waiting to take their turn in the MMS hall of Fame, where integrity and value are personified.
“Our leadership studies have shown that the call for gender parity is more reasonable and feasible when tied to economic empowerment, knowledge and skills acquisition. This informed our Vision 5W-250,000, which is conceived to empower 50,000 women yearly for a period of five years. Under this scheme, business grants are given to women evidently in need of funds to grow their business; scholarships are given to the deserving people while regular quarterly business management seminars are given to micro business owners with quick dispensable capital under the MMS WoFHoF Micro Credit Scheme. We have tried this and it is working. So, we call on you to support this vision and encourage more beneficiaries to join the credit net”, e said.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the occasion and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman stated that the Authority had chosen to identify with the event because it believed that any little initiative that was designed to encourage the potentials and capacity of women should be supported.
Usman who was represented at the event by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Adams Jatto added the theme of the event drove home women ability and the concept of equality for women, recognizing their potentials and their roles as major agents of positive change.
She assured that NPA was fully committed to the welfare of women in general and women in maritime sector in particular as demonstrated substantially in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
The Managing Director called on women in all areas of endeavours to always prove their worth wherever they found themselves as according to her,” attaining a great feat in life has nothing to do with gender”.
She continued, “Women should also seize the opportunity offered through women empowerment programmes to better their lot in life. Once again, I say congratulations to all recipients of today’s award and to the organizers of this great event”.
Photo: Founder of WoFHoF Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke.
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